Senior Communications Advisor

The Senior Communications Advisor manages, produces and distributes high quality communications and events for staff and students in order to create an engaged network of ambassadors for the University.

The role holder primarily develops the University’s internal communications channels, fostering a positive internal culture, whilst supporting the wider Corporate Communications team by utilising a variety of communications tools and techniques. Alongside the Senior Corporate Communications Manager, they lead on, and support, the delivery of impactful communications and engagement strategies. These strategies are used to inform and influence staff and students about the University’s direction of travel with a particular focus on growth, improvement, success and pride following the awarding of TEF Gold.

As Senior Communications Advisor, you will be heavily involved in:

Staff communications: You will manage day to day staff communications, ensuring messages are disseminated in a creative and timely way through channels such as newsletters, digital screens and the Solent Portal. You will create ideas to ensure effective promotion of key internal messaging which helps to increase awareness of organisational direction. You will also organise and support on the delivery of Vice-Chancellor briefings, ensuring events can be accessed by all staff and are run in a timely and organised manner.

Student communications: You will support the creation and delivery of priority projects and campaigns, ensuring that our students are up to date with the latest news and support that is relevant to them. As well as monthly news updates to students, you will work alongside the Student Union to ensure that messaging is appropriate and timely.

Championing the University Brand: Working with the wider PR and Communications team you will champion the Solent University brand across campus and beyond. You will ensure that messaging from the wider organisation is consistent, helping academics and professional services staff to also act as effective ambassadors for Solent with effective advice.

You will also:

• Support the Senior Corporate Communications Manager with the creation of staff communications messages and materials.
• Work closely with a range of internal stakeholders including People and Development, Academic Leads and Student Experience team to ensure messages are cascaded for maximum impact.
• Assist with gathering feedback from staff and students via surveys and emails.
• Deliver messaging on business change where required, ensuring confidentiality if necessary.
• Support activities of the Corporate Communications team as a whole.
• Be available for very occasional evening and weekend working as required.

Desired Skills

• Outstanding communication skills, verbal and written (on- and offline).
• Ability to communicate and present at senior level.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to manage and deliver to target, on budget and on time.
• Oversee multiple projects and activities.
• Excellent customer service and client management.
• Resilience under time pressures.
• Commitment to continuous development to enhance the communications team offering.

Desired Experience

• Staff communications.
• Student / community communications.
• Social media and creative writing.
• Project planning, including writing briefs and preparing timelines.
• Well versed in ICT, including CRM, databases and intranet systems.
• Handling confidential or sensitive issues.
• The post holder will be eligible to join the Solent Pension Plan

Please note CV's will only be accepted in support of a full completed online application.

Solent University offers an excellent benefits package.

We are Confident. We are Progressive. We are Inclusive. We Are Solent.

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